India has launched a hydrogen fuel cell-based backup power system for telecom towers, a development poised to revolutionalize the industry by encouraging clean energy and providing round-the-clock connectivity. Designed through a plug-and-play approach, the solution is in line with the nation's renewable energy agenda, providing a clean and sustainable option compared to diesel generators.

With more than a million telecom towers spread all over India, with thousands in rural locations with poor grid connectivity, sustaining 24/7 operations is an ongoing issue. Conventionally, diesel generators have been used as backup power sources, but they are expensive and emit carbon. The recently created Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) offer an efficient, environmentally friendly solution, generating electricity with water vapour as the sole by-product.

PEMFCs are ideal for telecom towers, especially during grid failure, due to their rapid start-up, low temperature operation, and small size. The fuel cells use hydrogen as a fuel, which can be stored and transported for refuelling and needs much less maintenance than traditional backup systems. The cells produce energy via an electrochemical reaction, in which hydrogen supplied to the anode releases protons that move through a polymer membrane to the cathode, where they react with oxygen to generate electricity and water.

In line with global environmental goals, the Department of Telecommunications and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) have been pushing for greener energy solutions. TRAI’s 2012 directive mandates that 50% of rural telecom towers and 33% of urban towers transition to hybrid renewable energy sources. Integrating PEMFC with telecom infrastructure supports this vision, offering a sustainable and reliable backup power solution.

The Centre for Fuel Cell Technology (CFCT) of the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), a Department of Science and Technology autonomous institute, has led this endeavour. One of the features that particularly stand out in the solution is its plug-and-play approach, which facilitates ease of handling and transport and reduces security risks to a large extent, making it extremely practical for mass deployment.

In a path-breaking demonstration, ARCI has demonstrated a mobile PEMFC-based backup power system at a telecom tower inside the Pune Municipal Corporation area. In a joint collaboration with Resicorre Technologies, Nashik, the demonstration featured the flexibility of the model. As against fixed installations, the system provides the flexibility of the power generation unit being shared between several towers, providing backup power where it is required and making deployment easier in locations where diesel generators are inconvenient.

Resicorre Technologies plans green technology solutions for vehicular and static power backup segments, furthering India's pledge towards sustainable energy. The demonstration is part of an Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Call – 2021 sponsored project by the Department of Science and Technology to create a stable hydrogen supply and maintain power resilience during outages.

This innovation occurs at a key moment, with India's digital infrastructure growing explosively in conjunction with increasing demands for sustainability. The successful roll-out and testing of PEM fuel cells mark a game-changing movement for the telecommunication industry, facilitating cleaner and more efficient operations while significantly diminishing carbon footprints. This program not only deepens India's renewable energy capabilities but also creates the path towards a more secure and sustainable telecom future.